FATHER ABEL’S COLUMN – MAY 28TH, 2017

It’s hard to believe that we are celebrating Memorial Day Weekend! It’s the unofficial start of the summer season! Most importantly, it’s a time in which we pray for and remember all those who have died serving our country. I look forward once again to join our Catholic War Veterans and all of our parishioners at a special Mass this Monday at 10:00am in the Church. I invite all of you to attend and join me in prayer. I want to thank our Catholic War Veterans for their very active presence in our community. They keep on reminding us of the importance for continued appreciation of all our armed forces and to remember to pray for all who have died.

Next Saturday, June 3, Bishop DiMarzio will ordain Deacon Ikena and his classmates to the priesthood! What a wonderful time for our parish and our diocese! I am very proud of him and look forward to welcoming him as a brother priest. He will celebrate his First Mass on Sunday, June 4th at 1:15pm here at St. Sebastian. All are invited to attend and take part in the reception that will take place in the Parish Center.

Finally, I want to provide you with updates on the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal and the Generation of Faith Campaign. First, The ACA, as of May 19 we have $87,796.00 pledged and out of that amount, the diocese has received $49,055.00. There are presently 391 people who are supporting this cause. Remember our goal is $146,725.00. We are doing much better now this year than we did last year. But we will still have a long way to go! Remember the ACA end December 31. I thank those of you have already made your commitment. I encourage everyone who hasn’t given to consider a $100.00 pledge form now to December. Once we reach our goal all monies over will come back to the parish! Thanks

Now about the Generations of Faith Campaign that Bishop DiMarzio started over a year ago. Recall that this campaign is running over the course of five years. This campaign helps the Bishop to deal with major issues that he needs to address on a diocesan level: the care of our retired priests and the future of our young people in the diocese. This campaign will also help parishes. Half of the monies collected come back to the parish so that the parishes can address some capital improvements needed. Recall my plan for the parish: 1) to do some minor improvements to the church. I would like to extend the sanctuary by 3 feet, provide better lighting in the Church and improve our sound equipment as well as getting a marble altar, new ambo and presider’s chair. Our goal is 1,465,000.00 The total amount pledged was 1,667,579.20 As of May the total received by the diocese is $465,597.00. I again thank those of you who have generously given to the five-year campaign. I’m sure that with God’s help you will continue to honor your commitments.